YOUR FIRST SWIM MEET

WHAT TO DO?  WHAT TO WEAR?  WHAT TO BRING?

First, relax!  Swim meets are a fun, learning experience.  Getting nervous is normal, but don’t let it ruin your experience of the meet.  You are probably nervous because you don’t know what to expect.  After you participate in one meet, it gets much easier and you will not be so nervous.

Entering the meet

Our website provides a list of meets and can be found on the home page, in the left hand column under “Upcoming Meets”.

Entry is usually via online entry, and to enter you must use your NSW SwimCentral username and password. (If you have forgotten your username/password, there is a reset link on the login page)

If you require any assistance with entering meets, please contact our Race Secretary at
contact@wodenswimclub.org.au

Please ensure you keep a note of the events you have entered your swimmer in.  Each meet lasts approximately 5 hours so expect to be at the pool for up to that length of time, depending on how your swimmer’s events are staggered throughout the day.

I’m at the meet, now what do I do?

Look for the Woden Valley Swim Club area.  Our swimmers and coaches will be in Woden Valley Swim Club gear.  Find a seat within the team area and prepare for warm-up.

A Woden coach will take you through a warm-up at the allocated time (see meet flyer).  Attending warm-up is an important part of participating in meets and coaches expect swimmers to arrive in time for warm-up.

Purchase a program (if needed) and look up and note the event numbers of your swims.  Some swimmers find it useful to have the event number written on their hand.

Usually you are required to report to the “Marshalling area” three events before your race.  Speak to any of the coaching staff if you can’t identify the event board of the marshalling area.

A Woden Coach will generally be present for a meet, depending how many swimmers are attending. Don’t worry if it is not your usual coach, any of our coaches will provide guidance and feedback to your swimmer.

After you swim a race

When you’ve finished a race, talk to the Woden coach.  Your coach has things to tell you about your swim.  They will also provide guidance about what to do next, cool down, eat, etc.  Get dressed, including footwear.  It is important to STAY WARM!

What do I wear?

Dress warmly and be prepared for everything!  You can always take layers off, but if you didn’t bring enough, your body is wasting energy before you race.  When representing our club at a meet, it is expected that you wear the Woden Club Shirt and shorts.

What do I bring?

In your swim bag you should pack:

  • Towels (most people like to have two).
  • Swim Suit (racing suit if you have one), club racing cap and goggles, and perhaps an extra suit and goggles.  You never know when you’re going to break something or lose something, so be prepared!
  • Food and drinks: food choices from cafes are usually limited.  Bring healthy snacks from home to eat and drink.
  • Meets can be long, so bring things to do: homework, reading, cards, games, etc.

Do I have to wear a Team Cap?

Team Cap – Yes, they are mandatory for representing the club at meets.  Silicone swim caps are available for purchase from the property officer for $17.00

Things to remember

The coach is there to watch every swim, so their first priority is to the swimmers in the water.  Please be patient when you come over before or after your swim.  The coach will talk to you right away if possible; otherwise he/she will ask you to wait.    They can’t go into long discussions about everything, so do follow up at training or arrange a suitable time to discuss with the coach at the meet. There could be a quiet patch sometime during the meet where the coach has spare time.

Timekeeping

At every meet the club is required to provide timekeepers usually for one lane, it is expected that all parents will volunteer to help out with this task.  Many parents find it more interesting to time keep while watching the meet, rather than sitting in the stands (don’t be scared of the stopwatch, you won’t be lynched for making a mistake).  You will meet other parents and will help make the competition possible, as without officials, your swimmer cannot compete.

Technical Officials

All the officials you see at a swim meet are volunteers! Swim meets cannot run without these volunteers. The best way to be involved in swim meets is to assist as an official. There are a variety of roles including: marshaling, check starter, recorder, judge of stroke, starter, PC operator and referee. Training and mentoring is available for all official roles. Any questions about how to become an official can be directed to our race secretary: wvscracesecretary@wodenswimclub.org.au

Additional information:

Swim meets held in 25 metre length pools are known as “short course” meets and are generally the focus of the winter season.  Swim meets held in 50 metre length pools are known as “long course” meets and are generally the focus of the summer season.

Meet Mobile:

The essential swimming app for swimmers, coaches, meet hosts and fans, Meet Mobile provides real-time meet results and standings from anywhere, at any time.

Generally, most meets utilise this program (App) and it is available from the Apple and Android App Store – it does have a small annual fee. This is a link to their web page Meet Mobile – web site

GOOD LUCK AND HAVE FUN AT YOUR FIRST MEET!